A special section
commemorating the
Class of 2023.
DAWSON COUNTY
HIGH SCHOOL
DCN honors winners of
Girls, Boys Athlete of the
Year awards.
SPORTS, 1B
WEDNESDAY I MAY 24, 2023
Dawson News ► com dawsonville, GEORGIA $2.00
Commissioners welcome new county manager
By Julia Hansen
jhansen@dawsonnews.com
A Macon resident with exten
sive utilities and public works-
related experience will now
serve as Dawson County’s next
county manager.
During their May 18 voting
session, the Board of
Commissioners unanimously
approved sole finalist Joey
Leverette for the leadership
position. Leverette officially
started the role on May 22.
District 2 Commissioner
Chris Gaines explained that he
and his colleagues have spent “a
lot of
time, energy and effort to
make sure we’re doing it right”
to vet someone’s qualifications,
personality and character
through processes like review
ing applications and online
interviews.
“What we are looking for as a
board [is] what would be the
best fit for Dawson county but
very importantly the leadership
and the employees of Dawson
County because they are the
lead in day-to-day operations,”
Gaines said.
“I’m really excited to get back
to northeastern Georgia, and
Dawson County is a beautiful
community with a lot of great
people and a lot of potential,”
Leverette said.
A number of years ago,
Leverette lived and worked in
Gainesville, Georgia for 16
years, with he and his children
occasionally visiting the
Dawsonville area.
He added that Dawson
County has “great staff’ and
“great leadership” with the
board and reiterated that he was
glad to be here for the opportu
nity.
Leverette previously served
for about one year as the
Executive Director of the Macon
Water Authority, according to
his resume that DCN obtained
through an open records act
request.
Before that, he worked for 26
years in various water wastewa
ter management and public utili-
ties-related roles in Florida and
in cities across Georgia.
See Manager 13A
Julia Hansen Dawson County News
Dawson County board members congratulate new county
manager Joey Leverette after voting to approve him for the
position. From left, Seth Stowers, Joey Leverette, Billy
Thurmond, Chris Gaines and Emory Dooley.
K-
Wa
Turning the tassels
Photos by Erica Jones Dawson County News
DCHS senior class secretary and treasurer Madelyn Lee speaks during the Class of 2023 graduation ceremony
on May 19.
Authorities ID
body found at
War Hill Park
By Kelly Whitmire
DCN Regional Staff
The local man who was recently found
deceased at a Dawson County park has
been identified.
Officials with the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources identified the man
found at War Hill Park on Friday, May 12
as Melvin John Warnecke, 78, of
Dawsonville.
DNR officials said “the cause of death is
believed to be accidental drowning, possi
bly due to a medical issue” and that
Warnecke’s body was found by a resident
at the park’s swimming area.
The Forsyth County Coroner previously
said the reported drowning of a man in
Fake Fanier at War Hill Park on Friday,
See Body|3A
New mural by
local artist is on
On the evening of Friday May 19,
Dawson County High School students,
families and administration gathered
under the lights on the school’s football
field to take part in the official graduation
ceremony for the Class of 2023.
The ceremony featured remarks from
members of the Class of 2023, as well as
DCHS Principal Michael Negley and
Superintendent Nicole FeCave.
During her address, Negley listed off
some of the many accomplishments that
members of the DCHS Class of 2023 are
graduating with.
“Class of 2023, you are outstanding,”
Negley said. “Over the course of your
Graduating seniors process onto the DCHS football field during the
See Graduates 13A Class of 2023 graduation ceremony on May 19.
Dawson County High School celebrates Class of 2023 graduates
By Erica Jones
ejones@dawsonnews.com
display at mall
By Erica Jones
ejones@dawsonnews.com
Dawson County’s North Georgia
Premium Outlet Mall is now a little more
brightly colored and photogenic, thanks to
a recently finished mural that came about
as a collaboration between the mall and a
local artist.
According to Taylor Bennett, director of
marketing and business development for
the outlet mall, the idea first started when
outlet mall leadership was looking for a
way to depict some of the local beauty of
the North Georgia area that the mall is such
a big part of.
“Dawsonville is known as the gateway to
See Mural 13A
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9 0 9 9 4
Inside
Volume 9, Number 21
© 2023, Dawson County News
Dawsonville, Georgia
Church Events
2B
Classifieds
6B
Dear Abby
5B
Deaths
2A
Legals
6B
Opinion
6A
Sports
1B
4A Ex-DSCO
jailer indicted
on forgery,
fraud charges.
5A Local club
L holds annual
Rotary Day
event.
BEST OF DAWSON
FOR COSMETICDENTISTRY
IW
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
ercf/u/
B. Manzur, D.M.D
754 Hwy 53 West
Dawsonville, GA
706-265-2505
